Arsenal have stepped up their interest in Lokomotiv Plovdiv winger Nenad Lukić by offering him a trial.

The 18-year-old left winger was watched by Arsenal during Serbia’s Under 19 qualifying fixtures, where he scored six goals. Manchester United and Chelsea were also there, as were Olympiakos and Hoffenheim. However, Arsène Wenger has made the first move.

Lukić has been invited for a trial at London Colney, with a view to a possible a transfer. It’s not yet clear whether the player will accept the offer or wait and see if Arsenal firm up their interest with an offer, but the race for the youngster is hotting up.

Nenad currently plys his trade for Plovdiv after moving from Partizan Belgrade last season. A pacy, skillful and creative winger, the exciting wide-man is rated as one of Serbia’s brightest prospects.

Arsenal are close to completing the signing of Swedish teenager Kristoffer Olsson, according to the midfielder's current club.

The 16-year-old has had two trails with Arsene Wenger's outfit, the first coming back in February, and has impressed.

IFK Norrkopings starlet Olsson is now set to make a permanent move to England for an undisclosed fee.

"I can confirm that the transfer is close to being sealed. I won't comment on any sums, but of course we are happy with the deal," IFK Norrkopings sporting director Tony Martinsson told Fotbolldirekt.se.

"We are pleased, but of course we would have preferred to have seen Kristoffer stay in Norrkoping and evolve to a first-team player.

"He wanted to take this chance and we will not stand in the way."

Arsenal seem to be a club under huge pressure from some fans to keep their midfield duo, while others feel its time to cash in on the want-a-way duo. Here’s me discussing one key aspect of them leaving; STATUS.

First difference for me is definitely the length and passion that Fabregas has given to the club, compared to Samir Nasri. Personally I think that Samir Nasri leaving is far more hard to deal with for the Gunners, reason being that Fabregas has already sacrificed so much for them to keep them a top level club. He has worked his absolute socks off to firstly get into the first team, and then to lead his team out there on the pitch. To me, after so many empty handed seasons pains him.

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The fact that he only has a FA Cup and a Community Shield cup to his silverware is absolute testament for it, and he would have nothing else but for his Spanish blood, where he managed to win both the EURO 2008 and World Cup 2010 with them. To me, the Spaniard has earned the right to (finally) leave for his dream move. And I’m very sure that Arsenal fans will respect him for that.

Nasri, on the other hand, came in for 12 million pounds and immediately came out with a statement:

The fact that Arsène Wenger gives great opportunities to young players is very important for me. Arsène has a great reputation and he is one of the best managers in the world

So the manager whom snapped you up turned you into an International icon (at least among Gunners fans). Can’t you be at least respectful enough to stay for at least 2 more years? Nasri is almost the polar opposite of Fabregas. He has been inconsistent and the fact that this year was the year that he (finally) shone for Arsenal says something.

And instead of repaying Arsenal (and Arsene) for this “great opportunity”, he has instead gone down the route to get more money. And after people lamented him for being a cash obsessed footballer, he came out saying that he will only stay when Arsene Wenger goes out and splashes the cash.

To me, Fabregas is a legend for staying with Arsenal for so long. Nasri, he’s a villain.

Sky Sports sources understand Stewart Downing would prefer to join Liverpool, despite interest from Arsenal, and the deal could be finalised on Monday.

The Aston Villa winger was on Wednesday the subject of a £15million bid from Liverpool, but the offer was immediately rejected by Villa Park owner Randy Lerner.

Arsene Wenger's Arsenal, who could lose Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas this summer, are thought to have attempted to hijack their Premier League rivals with an £18million bid.

But England winger Downing has set his mind on a move to Anfield and Liverpool are negotiating a price to buy a player who has two years remaining on his current contract.

Having already lost Ashley Young to Manchester United, new Villa manager Alex McLeish hopes the former Middlesbrough star will stay and the club are under no pressure to sell to suggest they would want a fee in the region of £20m.
Quality

It had been reported, with Arsenal demonstrating their interest, Liverpool had lined up Wigan's Charles N'Zogbia as solution to their search for creativity in wide areas.

The fact Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli and manager Kenny Dalglish have travelled to the Far East for a pre-season tour was also thought to indicate there was no imminent transfer activity.

But Sky Sports sources understand a deal for Downing could be finalised in the early stages of next week.

It has been questioned whether the soon-to-be-27-year-old Downing meets the criteria for young talent sought by Liverpool, which has already resulted in the signings of Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam.

But Dalglish wants quality in wide areas and Downing's crossing ability is viewed as a vital factor in the short-term target to return the club to the top four of the Premier League.